by Jove
An exclamation of surprise or praise. You studied hard, and, by Jove, you got an A! Isn't it funny how that works? By Jove, we've solved the mystery! By Jove, you've done it again! Congratulations on another election victory.
even Jove (sometimes) nods
Even the most scrupulous and exact person may fall victim to mistakes and errors. Jove is another name for Jupiter, the supreme god in Ancient Roman religion and mythology. The film is without a doubt the filmmaker's masterpiece, despite a minor plot hole in the third act. Even Jove nods, after all. Now, even Jove sometimes nods, to be sure, but any errors in this matter, no matter how small, could cost the company millions. A: "I'm so sorry—that section makes no sense because I was supposed to remove it before I gave you the draft." B: "Aha. Well, that's all right—even Jove sometimes nods."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
by Jove
Also, by cracky. Used to express surprise or emphasis. For example, By Jove, I was glad to see her, or It was a great day, by cracky. These mild oaths are euphemisms, the first for "by Jesus" or "by God" (Jove is another name for Jupiter, the principal Roman god), and the folksy variant by cracky for "by Christ." Both idioms may be dying out.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
by Jove
Used as a mild oath to express surprise or emphasis.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.